Middle Years Leaders Reflections of 2022

Adventure Camp

This year we were privileged to go on the Year 9 Adventure Camp. Going into this camp, I was very tentative as I had never been camping before and wasn’t sure if I would like this camp. But as soon as I got off the bus, my mind changed completely. This camp was very enjoyable but there were still mountains to climb over (literally). Some of the activities we participated in included camping, canoeing, abseiling, bike riding and of course, hiking over a mountain called Lightning Ridge. These activities brought our camp group closer together and strengthened our friendships. This was a delightful experience, and I will never forget all the memories that I made at this camp. Alannah Moulton (9.21)

Camp was an amazing and enjoyable experience; it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and try things I never thought I would. Initially I was really reserved about spending five days in the wilderness and was trying just get through it. The prospect seemed daunting at first but as I continued it became more and more enjoyable. Hiking was something I wasn’t looking forward to, but once it started, I really began to enjoy myself. The scenery was beautiful as well as the atmosphere. It was quite the experience to see how different the flora was just three hours away from where I lived. It really helped me gauge the diversity of the Australian bush. In the end the hike was the biggest highlight of my trip, and something I wish to continue outside of camp. I definitely encourage future Year 9s to go on camp, especially if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it. Lachlan O’Dwyer (9.20)

City Cite

In Year 9, we have had many highlights, one of the main highlights was City Cite. This three-week program gave us the opportunity to travel into the city by train every day and to work on a project such as, homelessness, sustainability, art, safety and people. Some days we even got to visited special buildings, places, and monuments. We all came into City Cite, nervous and worried about getting lost, but by the end, we didn’t want to leave. Out of it, we all learnt how to be independent, how to work in groups, how to work to a schedule (especially when catching trains and tram) and so much more. Andrew Barker (9.21)

Duke of Edinburgh Program

Working towards my Duke of Edinburgh award has been sometimes challenging but overall, one of the best experiences of the year for me. Having Friday morning for two periods to run around the school, orienteering, planting trees down at the Barn or learning to tie ropes, has been relaxing, and sometimes complicated, but it has always resulted in a bunch of fun and laughs. I have loved all the aspects of working towards the award like the Adventurous Journey camp, working in the Kids Church on Sunday mornings for service and other activities for my sport and skill. We also had the opportunity to go on a journey up to Mount Lofty which really connected the class, and we all loved the experience that brought us closer together. Overall Duke of Ed is incredible and anyone who is thinking of it should participate because it will change your life for the better! Chloe Daly (9.19)

I chose Duke of Edinburgh this year because I know people who have done it and it seemed like a really enriching experience. My favourite class activity was planting plants down at the Barn, because it was a good way to connect with nature and help out the animals that live there. One of my highlights was also the orienteering, I would definitely like to do that again. We learned all the symbols on the maps and what they meant, and also how to use a compass properly. Camp was a really fun challenge, but we all got through it, and it was great in the end. The camp cooking was my favourite part! Duke of Ed was an awesome elective and I loved it! Lucy Destry (9.21)

Duke of Ed had so many great things this past year with things such as camp and just great time in class with fun activities. Camp entailed sleeping in tents, an entire day hike, cooking and many chaotic memories on the way. In class, my favourite activities were the orienteering and helping the Junior School students. These two things were my absolute favourite as both were a good mixture of fun and challenge at the same time whether it was trying to find flags or just trying to work out creative ways to help the children learn and have fun. I chose this subject because I thought it would be both fun and different and right I was. Duke of Ed is definitely for people who want to have fun and a challenge in the same class.

Jett Schaeche (9.21)

Middle Years Leader Role

This year, as a Middle Years Leader, I have participated in many different activities, like helping out with Open Day, School at Work, raising the school flags, running year level meetings, and more. However, what I have most enjoyed was participating in donating food to CIRE and delivering it to the CIRE Community Hub. It was great to see the whole year level contribute to bringing food and I am glad we were able to make a difference and help out people who struggle to get the proper resources they need. Another highlight was when the Middle Years Leaders introduced the Secret Angel program. This was an opportunity for our year level to spread kindness and positivity through notes and gifts. Many students from each Home Group have signed up to participate and it is inspiring to see how effective kind messages can be. I was really happy when I received my own and I can’t wait to see our year level grow and become closer in the years to come. Keira Jennings (9.19)

At the start of the year, 12 students were selected to be members of the Middle Years Leaders team. Together we had meetings fortnightly, to discuss ways in which we could lead and inspire our peers and improve our school. We shared responsibilities, such as putting up and down the Australian and Oxley flags, running year level assemblies, and participating in School at Work tours and Open Day. The best part about being a Middle Years Leader was that we were able to put ideas forth from members of our year level, and see them come into action, for example the CIRE Food Drive, where not only Year 9 students, but the entire school donated food items to those in need. Another program that started with the Middle Years Leaders was the Secret Angel program, a system where each student involved received a positive pick-me-up message once a week from their 'angel'. Being a Middle Years Leader was a big responsibility, but very rewarding, as we were able to contribute to positive change in the year level. Teannah Ross (9.19)

Being a Middle Years Leader allowed me to be within a team that is conscientious and ready to work hard for other students, the school and the broader community. Through the team, I organised a Food Drive for CIRE for the year level where they could be provided to people in need. I was in awe of how much we were able to accumulate only within Year 9, that turned into a whole school event. It felt amazing to do something to help people in our local community. A few times throughout the year we also helped at School at Work mornings where we were able to be representatives of the school to potential parents. Also, pairs of leaders were assigned to the different Junior School year levels, allowing us to connect to and bring some positivity to the younger students, which in my case was the Year 2s. The motivation for helping our school and broader communities really made our year level and leader team very tight knit and aware of others. I am very grateful for this opportunity because it has truly made me a more selfless person! Ruby Warburton (9.19)

Year 9 Life

The journey of Year 9 has been one that I will never forget as it taught me numerous lessons. Through this year, I have been presented with many opportunities through which I have been able to grow as an individual. This includes the opportunity to take part in the Election Program. This time acted as an opportunity for our year level to work together as a team to create posters and advertise our given parties. Through this, we were also able to learn more about how voting takes place in Australia. Moreover, we were able to have the opportunity to take part in Flight and Flourish clubs. These clubs consisted of our year level being separated between the boys and girls. This acted as a chance for us to discuss matters that affected the girls and boys in our year level, alongside chats about common issues that we all faced. Natasha Mevasia (9.19)

As a year level, this was our first year of high school, without the major interruptions COVID caused in prior years, and as a year level we’ve been fortunate to enjoy and experience this year as a cohort: City Cite and camp just to name two. Additionally, of course, we’ve had the chance to further get to know each other, and grow closer, through our year level assemblies, group activities, and electives, many of which were IT, Food Studies, Music and English related. Personally, I believe Year 9 has brought us all closer together, as well as taught us all important lessons, both in the classroom and out. Rohan Mishra (9.20)

Our Election program was a lot of fun and gave all of us valuable insight into the inner workings and processes of our system of government, as well as its benefits compared to other election systems. Roman Young (9.21)

I thank the 12 students for their input and leadership this year in a variety of areas, some of which are discussed above. They have worked very well as a team on different projects within our year level as well as representing the College in a positive light with many whole school programs. They’ve participated in regular meetings throughout the year, each having opportunity to share more about themselves in our Vulnerabili-tea House, speaking about their personal highlights, heroes and hardships and life lessons learnt along the way. We look forward to running Chapel soon and our Laser Tag break up party too!

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. Luke 16:10

Gavin Fox

Year 9 Coordinator